From Bunbury to the big time: Corey Colum

In 2009, Corey Colum won the Road to Tamworth and picked himself up a recording contract with ABC Music.

Now the hard work begins.

"We've been talking about it for a while," he says of the decision to move to Queensland.

Bunbury born, Corey moved with the work up to Karratha about five years ago. There, he started playing and writing in earnest. " I probably wouldn't be as far along as I am now, if I hadn't moved (to Karratha)", he says.

Playing live is still where it's at in terms of making a career in music, says Corey. Getting to the festivals, building the fan base, promoting his CD, Corey Colum.

"The next step is making music a full time job and supporting the family on that," he says. "At the moment, it's music festivals and pub gigs on the weekend. "

Family support is an important part of realising the dream. "Everyone knows what they're in for," he laughs.

A relaxed, easy vocal style and great rapport with the audience are what made Corey stand out for judges in Tamworth.

"I get a lot of compliments on my voice, that it's easy to listen to," Corey agrees. Audiences relate to his story telling between songs, he adds.

"It's not my lead breaks, he laughs, "'cause I don't do too much of that."

The songs reflect life, he says. Songs like One of Us, about the move to the North West and being accepted readily into the community there.

"When people relate to your songs it pushes you along more."

Then there's the lighter side; songs like Fire in the Hole, about "getting up to mischief and doing something you shouldn't do".

Cutting Loose is in the same mould, about the carefree days as young blokes, jumping in the four wheel drive and heading out bush back of the Ferguson Valley or Collie.

Recording with the greats

Recording that first CD with some of the big names in the country music scene was an eye opener for Corey.

Working with legendary producer Garth Porter was "a shock to the system", he grins. Not just Garth, who's worked with the likes of country greats James Blundell and Lee Kernaghan, but also musicians such as Ted Howard and Travis Collins.

"That man can really sing," says Corey of Travis.

"I kept pinching myself," he says of the experience.

Watching these seasoned performers at work was a reminder of the dedication needed to reach the top.

"I hadn't been in a studio much before. To see it all unfold in front of my eyes was very cool."

"They send out the demo and the ideas come back. Once in the studio, they (the band) can put it down in a day or two.

"They're the guys who have made it a career, who have made it their job. You have to be that serious."

It takes dedication to turn the passion for music into a career, he adds. "It does a lot of time and a lot of hard work to do things at the highest level. A lot of people don't realise what it takes to be at the top."

Sometimes at the end of a day, Corey finds himself asking the question, "What have I done?" The answer is usually the unseen side of the business, promotion, organising gigs, "ringing up and telling everyone how good you are. I find that hard", he jokes.

Corey's love of music comes from the family. His gran played piano, his father sings and acts. His uncle is Pedro Colum, a singer and performer of traditional Australian poetry.

"His passion for Australian country music is strong and that's helped me."

Pedro was along for the ride when Corey headed off to his first Tamworth.

"We drove together across Australia and I spent a lot of time with him," says Corey. "I learned about the road and music."

The main lesson that his uncle imparted was about authenticity. "Be yourself. Be true to yourself.

"And keep pushing."

The next goal for this former South West local is to keep playing the pubs, to work the festivals: fesivals such as the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival where he appeared just recently.

"Festivals are where people will go to see their favourite artists," says Corey. He wants to be there when they check out who else is worth a listen.

"I'm thinking about a tour down from Queensland through NSW, just to keep spreading the word.

"That's what it's all about at the moment, spreading the word and spreading the fan base."

Marriage and a young daughter have naturally changed Corey's outlook on life. "Before it was about drinking and going out having a good time and travelling," he laughs.

He still loves the travelling and will continue to find it a source of inspiration.

The family have just done the Gibb River Rd and will return in June. Darwin was another favourite place. "I played at the Humpty Doo Hotel."

"I just love it," says Corey when asked he why he wants to give up the security of the day job for the life of a struggling muso.

Travel, music and the family. "If you can get those three things, together, what else would you want to do?"